Casemiro joins Inter Miami on free transfer to reunite with Lionel Messi

Casemiro has completed a high-profile move to Inter Miami on a free transfer, linking up with long-time rival Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer after years of facing him in El Clasico clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The MLS club confirmed on Wednesday that the Brazilian midfielder has signed a contract running until the end of the 2027 season, with an option to extend his stay until June 2029. He will be eligible to play once his work visa is approved and is set to wear the No 5 shirt.

The 34-year-old left Manchester United at the end of last season when his contract expired, and had widely been expected to delay his switch to the United States until after the 2026 World Cup. Instead, Inter Miami have secured his signature immediately, adding another Champions League-winning star to their ambitious project.

‘What drives me is winning’

Casemiro said he was eager to embrace a new chapter in his career and insisted that the chance to keep competing for trophies was central to his decision.

Speaking to Inter Miami’s official website, he said: “ما يحفزني دايما هو الفوز والاستمرار في التطور. المشروع الذي قدمه لي النادي، والجهود التي بذلت لاتمام الصفقة، يعنيان الكثير بالنسبة لي”.

He added: “انا ممتن للغاية لهذه الثقة، واتطلع الى ردها داخل الملعب وخارجه، سواء في المباريات او خلال التدريبات اليومية. ساقدم كل ما لدي من اجل النادي وجماهيره”.

Casemiro’s arrival further strengthens a Miami squad already built around Messi and other former Barcelona stalwarts, underlining the club’s intention to challenge for silverware at home and raise its profile abroad.

Beckham hails ‘serial winner’

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, who also played for both Real Madrid and Manchester United during his career, praised the signing as a statement of intent.

He said: “انا سعيد للغاية بانضمام كاسيميرو وعايلته الى انتر ميامي. لطالما اعجبت به لاعبا وشخصا. انه بطل اعتاد الفوز، وبعد مسيرة استثنايية مع ريال مدريد ومانشستر يونايتد، يسعدني انه اختار ميامي لتكون محطته الجديدة”.

Casemiro follows a similar path to Beckham, who likewise left Europe after spells at Real Madrid and Manchester United before moving to the United States.

‘We want to be a global reference’

Managing owner Jorge Mas said the deal underlined the scale of Miami’s ambitions, stressing the club’s desire to move beyond being simply one of the best teams in the US.

Mas said Casemiro’s profile was a perfect fit for the project the club is trying to build.

He explained that “كاسيميرو يجسد القيم التي يقوم عليها النادي؛ القيادة، وعقلية الانتصار، والخبرة الكبيرة. اختياره الانضمام الينا بعد كل ما حققه يوكد ايمانه بمشروعنا”.

Inter Miami have made no secret of their aim to establish themselves as a global brand, using high‐profile signings and a strong sporting project to attract some of the game’s biggest names in the twilight of their careers.

Glittering career in Europe and with Brazil

Casemiro arrives in MLS after a decorated spell in Europe. Having started his professional career at Sao Paulo in Brazil, he joined Real Madrid in 2013 and evolved into one of the leading defensive midfielders in world football.

Across eight seasons with the Spanish giants, he made 336 appearances, scoring 31 goals and providing 29 assists. He helped Real Madrid lift 18 trophies, including five Champions League titles, three La Liga championships and three Club World Cups.

In 2022 he moved to Manchester United, where he played 160 matches, scored 26 goals and set up 14 more. At Old Trafford he won both the FA Cup and the League Cup, adding to his extensive honours list.

On the international stage, Casemiro has been a mainstay for Brazil, earning 91 caps. He was part of the squad that won the 2019 Copa America and featured at the 2018, 2022 and 2026 World Cups, playing every match for the Selecao at the 2026 tournament, scoring in the round of 32 and providing an assist in the last 16.

His move to Inter Miami not only reunites him with Messi in a new setting, but also adds another marquee name to MLS as the league seeks to grow its global reach ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America.